The reading
curriculum will include strategies for students reading at grade level or
higher, as well as for students who are reading below grade level. It is
expected that students will master reading, writing, and verbal skills through
continuous infusion of reading skills in all subject areas. Science and Social
Studies non-fiction text will be used to teach reading skills and strategies.
Lessons will be based on broad topics covering the reading process, literary
analysis, the writing process, communication, information and media literacy.

Teachers will focus
instruction on the 5 Big Ideas identified by the National Reading Panel:
Phonetic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Students
will read a variety of text at their level to practice comprehension skills and
strategies. Students will also be monitored to ensure their positive response
to instruction in the classroom.

The writing
process will be taught- and all students will be required to write- on a daily
basis across the curriculum. Ongoing writing strategies such as
prewriting, drafting, revising, editing for language conventions, and
publishing will help develop effective writers and enhance student performance
on state writing assessments. Writing will also be stressed throughout the
curriculum by incorporating projects such as daily journal entries and academic
notebooks. The use of technology in the writing process will further
enhance the students’ ability to publish their work. Writing before, during,
and after the main story selection from the school's adopted text will provide
systematic, explicit writing instruction and ample practice in spelling,
grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Students will also
participate in school-wide structured writing assessments. This writing
assessment, called the "Pinecrest Writer,” will allow students to
gain experience for the writing proficiency exam. In addition, these
quarterly assessments will provide teachers with feedback to guide their
writing instruction.

By the end of the school
year, students will have achieved a year's worth of learning by mastering the
objectives and concepts aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards in
Reading and Language Arts. The school will also include a strong language arts
component with teachers using oral book lectures, poetry readings, roundtable
discussions of novels, and creative and individualized writing instruction.

Mathematics

The mathematics
curriculum will be aligned with NCTM Principles and Nevada Academic Content
Standards for Mathematics by grade level for grades K-8. Mathematics activities
will also include mental math, math stories, math games, and competitions.

The math programs
selected in grade K-8 were specifically selected due to their philosophy of
inquiry and the mathematical explanations required of all students. The
curriculum is designed to support students and help them learn that they can be
mathematical thinkers. There is an emphasis on reasoning and problem solving in
all grades. Students will focus on computational fluency with whole numbers as
a main goal in the elementary grades. Students will also have extensive work in
the mathematical areas of rational numbers, geometry, measurement, data, and
algebra. Math games are used as a tool for students to experience mathematics
in fun and engaging activities. Ongoing assessments will be utilized to ensure
students understand core mathematical concepts and enrichment/remediation will
be provided to meet the needs of all learners.

Science

The sciencecurriculum
will prepare students to achieve the Next Generation Science Standards by
incorporating a hands-on approach to learning of the central science themes:
physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences, engineering,
technology, and application of science. Students will be immersed in
non-fiction text to connect other content areas into science. Additionally,
students will participate in hands-on science experiments while keeping science
journals to extend their learning.

Social Studies

The social studies
curriculum includes the study of related knowledge and modes of inquiry
selected from history, the humanities, and the social sciences, including
anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy,
political science, psychology, and sociology. Thematic units will integrate the
various subjects and address key areas of social studies in alignment with
Nevada Academic Content Standards. Character Education components (respect,
honesty, responsibility, self-control, tolerance, kindness, citizenship and cooperation)
will be emphasized individually through thematic lessons and group projects.

Social Studies education will promote
loyalty, love of country and community, and will prepare students to
participate intelligently in public affairs. The curriculum will allow students
to develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand current political and
social issues. Social studies education will provide students with an
understanding of the democratic principles and ideals upon which good
citizenship is founded and an understanding of the world beyond their borders.